Banking hub opens in town hit by closures

A banking hub has opened in a Somerset town in an effort to replace the bank branches that have been closed down in recent years.

Branches of NatWest, Lloyds, HSBC and Barclays have all closed in Keynsham and the town’s last remaining bank, Halifax, is set to shut in May.

A temporary banking hub offering in-person services opened last Wednesday in the town’s post office. The hub operates as four different banks on four different days: Tuesdays is NatWest, Wednesday is Lloyds, Thursdays is HSBC and Fridays is Barclays. Mondays will eventually become Halifax.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK – the not-for-profit company funded by major high street banks, said: “I’m pleased to announce that the new banking hub in Keynsham is now open in its temporary home at MakeSpace, providing local residents with access to cash and in-person banking services.

“The hub is available for everyday banking transactions every day of the week, and for more specific or complex enquiries, a community banker will be on-site to assist on designated days.”